The Effects of Chronic Administration of 3,4- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy") on Neural Pathways of the Heart in Conscious Rats

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Abstract

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or
"Ecstasy") has been recently growing in popularity with
college students through dance parties called "raves",
despite it's Schedule I status from the U.S. Drug
enforcement agency. MDMA has been found to be a
neurotoxin in the brain to every animal studied to date
(which causes concern for recreational abuse). The
extent of serotonergic (5-HT) neurotoxicity in the brain
is well documented, and MDMA even affects dopamine levels
in the brain at high doses. Serotonin is also used as a
neurotransmitter in neural pathways of the heart, and
this in vivo study gives a preliminary examination on
whether MDMA is affecting sympathetic (5-HT) activation
of the heart through the Bezold-Jarish reflex of
conscious rats. In addition, the study examines whether
MDMA's neurotoxic affects increase or decrease the
sensitivity of acetylcholine on the Bezold-Jarish reflex.
The results indicate that evidence of 5-HT neurotoxicity
in the brain, there does not appear to be any affect on
the sympathetic (5-HT) activation of the heart.
Moreover, MDMA does not increase or decrease sensitivity
of acetylcholine in the Bezold-Jarish reflex. However,
MDMA appears to affect the alpha-2 receptors (receptors
responsible for Ketamine/Xylazine anesthetic) in rats.
After chronic administration of MDMA, many rats did not
survive surgery. Thus, MDMA may be altering alpha-2
receptors in a way so that Ketamine/Xylazine anesthetized
animals cannot regain consciousness with injection of
Yohimbine.